Snake plants, with the scientific name Sansevieria trifasciata, are also commonly called mother-in-law’s tongue, bowstring hemp, or St. George’s sword. These hardy evergreen perennials have banded green leaves with a yellow border, and range from six inches to eight feet tall depending on the variety. They are easy to grow and can thrive anywhere, but they are still prone to diseases and could die if the cause of the problem is not promptly addressed.
How to save a dying snake plant
If the snake plant has yellow or brown, drooping leaves:
- Hold off on watering.
If your dying snake plant has yellow or brown, drooping leaves, it is likely that you are overwatering it. These plants should ideally be watered only once every two to three weeks. Let the soil dry out completely if the leaves are turning brown or yellow.
To determine how often you should water your snake plant, feel the soil at the bottom of the pot through the drainage hole. If the soil feels moist, hold off on watering for a few days; if it is dry, you can go ahead and water the plant.
- Replace the soil.
Snake plants could turn yellow or brown if the soil is slow-draining and retaining too much moisture. Empty the pot and replace the soil with a potting mix formulated for succulents that replicates the soil characteristics of the plant’s natural habitat.
- Place the plant in a pot with drainage holes.
Water should be able to escape freely from the base of the pot so that the roots do not soak in damp soil for long periods. Furthermore, snake plants thrive in pots that are proportional to their size, rather than very large pots, as the latter hold more moisture and are slower to dry out.
Your snake plant will have a chance of survival once the soil has been left to dry out completely and you have adjusted the frequency of watering. If the brown or yellow discoloration continues to spread, cut back the badly affected leaves, especially at the base of the plant, to prevent any rot from spreading to other plant parts.
If the snake plant’s leaves are curling:
- Place the plant in a basin of water for a few minutes.
Submerge the root balls for a few minutes to allow them to draw up the water they need.
- Water the plants with a generous soak.
A generous soak will ensure that the water moistens not only the top inch of soil, but the roots as well. Excess water should trickle out of the drainage holes; this is a good way to determine that you have watered the plants sufficiently.
- Replace the soil if it is not well-draining.
Replace the soil with a fresh potting mix that is specifically formulated for succulents like snake plants. The succulent-friendly potting soil allows water to filter properly and does not clump or bake hard.
- Transfer the snake plant to a room or location where the temperature is warmer.
Curling leaves could also be due to exposure to temperatures lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is the case, transfer the plant to a room that is consistently warmer than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the snake plant has brown spots:
- Place the plant in a shaded area to prevent sunburn.
Snake plants thrive in places with hot weather, but they should not be exposed to too much full sun as they are likely to develop sunburn. This will result in brown spots on the leaves. If this happens, you should move the plants to a more shaded area.
- Cut the damaged leaf blades to encourage more growth of healthy leaves.
Signs that your snake plant is dying
The leaves are turning brown
Causes: pest infestation, overwatering
The plants have white spots
Causes: fungal or bacterial disease
The leaves are curling
Causes: pests, environmental changes, overwatering
The leaves are droopy
Causes: stress, watering issues
The leaves are dying
Causes: pests, environmental changes, watering issues
The plants manifest leggy growth
Causes: low light, overfertilization
The leaves are turning yellow
Causes: pests, underwatering, overfertilization
Conclusion
Snake plants are hardy evergreen perennials and popular indoor plants. Although they are drought-resistant, these plants are also prone to certain problems and diseases, and may wilt and die if the cause of the problem is not acted upon. Hold off on watering if the plants have yellow or drooping leaves, and place them in a shaded area if they have brown spots. Curling leaves could be due to insufficient water, so make sure you water the plants enough to keep them hydrated.
Image: istockphoto.com / DaisyLiang